Years ago, the word “flexibility” carried a different meaning in the filling systems space — it might have referred to different packaging formats and beverage categories. Today, proliferation of SKUs and the increasing number of particle-filled beverages have stretched the word’s definition in the beverage industry.

After the show’s close, New Hope Natural Media, the host of the show and a division of Penton, reported a record number of new natural and organic product launches, as well as record exhibitor and attendee numbers.

Although the vodka sub-category remains the No. 1 segment in terms of volume sales, whiskey has become so popular that it is beginning to take over as the No. 1 spirit on a dollar sales basis, according to Bump Williams Consulting’s monthly wine and spirits report, which cites Chicago-based SymphonyIRI data.

Within the last five years, global launches of carbonated drinks have grown significantly, according to a December 2012 report by the Netherlands-based Innova Market Insights titled “Carving New Niches for Carbonates.”

According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), in 2012 the United States sustained its place as the largest coffee market in the world, consuming approximately 450 million cups of coffee each day, says Nina Hughes-Likins, senior marketing manager with Synergy Flavors, Wauconda, Ill.

Events

Learn how the craft beer segment is helping the overall U.S. beer market, how craft brewers are embracing growth opportunities, what innovations brand owners are doing to entice consumers and new on-premise alcoholic beverage sales tracking

Attendees will learn about functional beverage innovations, trends, and consumer purchase drivers, what Millennials expect from healthy beverage products and how to make and keep your brand relevant and sensory challenges in functional beverages and flavor/odor masking solutions to meet consumer expectations for great taste